Pueblo community drive gathers medical materials

Anthony A. Mestas @mestas3517

Friday

Mar 27, 2020 at 5:09 PM

Puebloans rallied at a safe distance from each other Friday to help those on the front lines of the battle against the invisible foe that continues to change the daily routines of people around the world.

Cars trickled into the Colorado State Fairgrounds Friday afternoon, each with a boxes of goods to help local heath care facilities in this time of need.

The United Way of Pueblo County and Colorado State University-Pueblo Student Health Services hosted a community supply drive for health care workers addressing COVID-19.

“We’ve identified that this was a huge need in the community. We have been hearing from our community partners. We wanted to pitch in and help organize this drive today,“ said Shanna Farmer, president/CEO of Pueblo County United Way.

The event was deemed essential and did not go against Colorado’s stay-at-home order that was issued Wednesday as the drive was collecting essential items for health care workers.

“I am happy to join my colleagues today. We are all working hard to help protect our health care officials by being proactive to ask for donations, including gloves and masks and things that health care providers will need as they are serving on the front lines of this pandemic we face,” Garcia said.

Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment personnel were on hand to ensure safety precautions, including limited person-to-person interactions, were maintained. Contributors remained in their vehicles.

“As the wife of a health care worker, I know how scary it is for the any person -- front line workers in the hospital or first responders -- having to respond to patients who may of may have not been diagnosed yet,” Esgar said.

“That’s why this is so important that we have come together as a community to find what we have left and be sure our community is safe and our true heroes have the equipment they need to save lives.”

Buentello said the community is just now realizing the scope of the pandemic.

“Everyone wants to avoid the worst-case scenario, which examples are like Italy, like China where it’s a full-blown public health crisis because their health care systems are so overloaded,” Buentello said.

“We want to help keep health care workers healthy and get them the tools they need in order to keep us healthy ... That’s the great thing about Pueblo: Pueblo; it sticks together.”

Other partners participating were Pueblo County Emergency Operations Center, and the Pueblo health department.

Farmer said the best way to donate additional items is to call the COVID-19 Hotline at 719-583-4444